Pumping apparatus



March 14, 1933.

G. A. HUMASON PUMPING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l www u,

Filed July 25, 1932 A77/ 2 llllll, f E

March 14, 1933. G. A HUMASON 1,901,031

PUMPING APPARATUS Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES GRANVIILE A. HUMASON, OF HOUSTON, 'Ems q PUMPING APPARATUS Application filed July 25, 1932. Serial No. 624,425.

My invention relates to pumping equipment for raising liquid from deep wells.

My invention has for its object the provision of an apparatus whereby the oil may be lifted to the surface with a minimum of eX- pense. .It includes the provision with or without a pump rod of pneumatically oplerated means for aerating and raising the column of liquid from the well. p

I contemplate the provision of an apparatus which may be operated by the pressure of fluid alone and in which7 when desired, the pump rod may be entirely dispensed with. I have asa further object to provide an f apparatus which may be easily installed and which will operate for .long periods without material wear.

' rThe invention resides particularly in the construction of the parts making up my equipment, a detailed description of which will later be given. q

Referring, to the drawings herewith, Fig. 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in central vertical section of the upper end of mypumping equipment.

Fig. 2 1s a similar view through the well casing showing the lower end of my apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the plane 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar transverse section on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is a side View partly in elevation and partly in section of the upper end of a similar equipment in which the plunger is operated through fluid pressure alone; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the lower end of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

In carrying out my invention I provide the usual well easing 1, to the lower end of which may be connected the strainer 2. upper end of the well casing I provide a casing head 3 of special construction to receive my pumping equipment. The lower end of the casing head is provided with an internal shoulder 4, upon which may be seated a packing member comprising a lower ring 5, a hollow expansible packing member 6 connected therewith, and an upper metal ring 7. Said rings 5 and T are connected with the cylin- At the drica-l rubber packing member by havin the ends of said packing member dovetaile to engage within mating grooves in the two rings. The interior of the packin member is hollow and an opening 8 is provi ed in one 55 side thereof to allow Huid to pass therefrom e to an outlet port 9 in the casing head. A passage 1-0 is provided through the lower end of the packing member and ring 5 to the chamber within the packing member. A o0, valve l1 normally closes the passage 10 againstv fluid entering the well, but allows fluid from the well to pass upwardly to the outlet port 9 and tending to expand the packer 6.

Above the packing member and connected therewith is a bushing 12. This bushing comprises a ring having an inner tapered seat 13 therein to receive the tapered lower end 14 of an upper head 15. The bushing 7o 12 is connected with the upper ring 7 of the packing member by providing an annular groove '16. in the lower side of the bushing to receive upwardly projecting arms 17 upon the ring 7 said arms engaging within said 'I5 groove and having an .outer flange thereon adapted when rotated to lock with an inwardly extending flange 18 shown in the drawings. The bushing 12 is in turn engaged within the upper end of the casing head in S0 a similar manner. Lateral projections 19 on the bushingengage through openings 20 in an inwardly extending flange 21 upon the casinghead. Said 'projections 19. are adapted when rotated to engage under said lange 2l 85 and hold the same'V against removal.

The upper head 15 has a construction somewhat similar to the casing head. Its tapered lower end fits within the seat 13 inthe bushing 12 and may be latched in place by latch 90 members 22 in the bushing engaging Within a groove 23 in the lower-tapered end of the head. .The latch is automatically operated to engage against the tapered end by a spring 24 about the latch, as will be understood from 95 Fig. 1.

The head 15 has a lateral pipe 25 connected therewith and above this pipe is a shoulder 26 to receive a packing member similar in construction to the packing member 6. It has 100 The pump rod extends downwardly into the tubing 36, which is suspended from the lower end of the head 15. Said tubing has y adjacent the lower end a packer 37, which may be of any ordinary construction, adapted to close the space between the tubing and the casing.

Below the packerlthe tubing has a nipple 38, the lower end of which is closed by the plug 59. The nipple 38 has therein a valve sleeve comprising a sleeve 39, an upper cup 40, and a lower packing ring 41. Said pack,- ing ring has its lower side tapered in cross section to fit within a seat 42 at the inner end of a passage 43, through the body of the nipple. Thus the incoming fluid through the ports 43 will raise the valve sleeve 39, but

the passage of fluid downwardly through the said ports 43 will be prevented.

Above the packer I provide a plurality of outlet ports 44, which communicate with the space between the tubing and the casing and have a valve member 45, similar to the valve 39, which slides upon the outer surface of the tubing and seats at 46 within openings from the tubing. Thus, raising of this valve will allow the outlet of fluid from theinterior, but it will drop to prevent the passage of fluid from the casing to the interior of the tubing.

Spaced upwardly above the valve 45 is a similar valve 47, tending'to control the outlet ports 48 from the tubing in the same manner asin the case of the outlets 44.

At the lower end of the sucker rod is a plunger which includes an inner body 49 having upper and lower cups 50 and 51, respectively. These cups are presented in opposite directions and are held in place spaced apart by a spacing sleeve 52. It will be seen that this plunger is in effect a solid plunger although an interior cavity 53 is provided for purposes of lightness and buoyancy.

In the operation of this pump it will be assembled as shown in the drawings. The packing member 6 for the tubing will be placed in position with the bushing 12 thereon and the tubing will then be inserted downwardly therethrough with the head 15 at the upper end of said tubing latched within the vupper end of the bushing 12. The pump rod will be packed around by the packer 28 in the head and the ring 33 will be screwed in place to receive the supporting slips. The

plunger will be reciprocated through the pump rod 35 in the usual manner. To assist the operation of the plunger air or o ther fluid will be pumped into the casing through the pipe 25 and will circulate` downwardly against the upper side of the plunger. On the downward stroke the plunger will force the liquid Adrawn into the tubing below the said plunger outwardly through the ports 48 and 46 to the interior of the casing.

As the plunger passes the outlet ports 38 an escape will e allowed for the air or other fluid above the plunger so as not to interfere with the return upward stroke of the plunger. On the upward stroke of the plunger the valve 45 will seat and liquid will be drawn into the tubing through the ports 43, filling the tubing below the plunger. As the plungv er passes the ports 48 they will also be closed,

prevening the entrance of fluid from outside the tubing to the interior thereof. On the downward stroke the operation will be repeated.

It is to be noted that the working stroke of the plunger, which is a downward stroke,

will be assisted by the air pumped in above the plunger. This air under pressure will escape through the ports 48 to assist in lifting the column of liquid being raised by the pump and will materially lessen the work of pumping. Any sand or foreign material entering the tubing through the ports 43 will drop out of the liquid into the closed lower end 39 of the tubing, where it will in no way interfere with the operation of the device.

The plunger is a particularly cheap and economical construction and will operate for long periods of time. This will result .largely from the fact that the fluid pressure above and below the plunger are nearly equal ized, that is, the air or gas pressure above the plunger on the downward stroke is very nearly equal to the pressure below the plunger, tending to force the liquid upwardly past the packing members. There will for this reason be only a small tendenc for liquid and sand to pass the plunger, an wear on the plunger andbarrel will be greatly decreased and the life of the apparatus will be greatly prolonged. Not only will the air pressure above the plunger assist in the operation of the plunger, and also assist in preventing leakage of fluid past the plunger, but will aerate and lift the liquid through which it passes when it is released from the tubing.

The air escaping in this mannerwill pass off with the liquid through the passages 10 and the outlet port 9 and will by its pressure within the packing members 6 tend to maintain a seal about the tubing within the casing head. A similar effect is obtained about the pump rod through the pressure of the gaseous fluid within the chamber 21 of' the upper .packer 28.

lo: l

In my embodiment disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6 the structures are similar. However, I do not use the packer at the upper `end of the tubing head 15, but close the said head by means of a bushing 33 within which is screwed a plug 54. I do away entirely with the sucker rod and at the upper end 55 of'the plunger I screw a post 56 having a head 57 thereon to be engaged by a fishing tool, by means of which the plunger may -be withdrawn when desired.

In the operation of this device the plunger will be forced on its downward stroke entirely through the pressure of fluid forced into the upper end of the tubing. The plunger will be moved downwardly to discharge the liquid from the tubing through the valve control ports, as previously described. When the plunger has past the openings 48 the pressure Huid accumulated above the plunger will escape to the outside, relieving the 'pressure above the plunger and allowing the liquid at the lower end of the well to rise upwardly in the tubing, moving the plunger upwardly above the incoming liquid.

This plunger is also lhollow and will be easily floated upwardly by the liquid when the pressure of fluid has exhausted. After the lunger has moved to the upper end of its stroe by the liquid in the well, tending to rise to its ordinary level in the tubing, the pressure duid will again accumulate above the plunger and will soon move it again on its downward stroke, repeating the operation previously described.

In this device I am enabled to do away with the necessity of a pump rod extending to the surface, the pump is operated entirely through duid pressure and the lite of the equipment will be extended through the fact that no excessive wear takes place in the operation of the device. The advantages of this will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new is:`

l. pump of the character described including a well casing, a casing head thereon, a tubing in said casing, means to support said tubing 1n said casing head, a packing about said tubing adjacent its upper end, a liquid inlet adjacent its lower end, an outlet `from said casing, said packing being expanded by fluid fiowin to said outlet, a plunger in said tubing closing the passage upwardly there-` through, and means whereby said plunger may be moved downwardly to force liquid from. said tubing above its lower end and upwardly about said tubing to said outlet.

2. A pump of the character described including a Well casing, a casing head thereon, a tubing in said casing, means to support said tubing in said casing head, a packing l y about said tubing adjacent its upper end,

an outlet from said casing, said packing being expanded by fluid flowl to said outlet, a plunger in said tubing c osing the passage upwardly therethrough, a liquid inlet adjacent the lower end of said tubing, an outlet a packer on said tubing adjacent it lower end, an inlet to said tubing below said packer, a packing member acting to seal oil' the tubing within the upper endof said casing, a plunger closing the passage in said tubmg, means to conduct pressure fluid into the upper end of said tubing, valve controlled ports in said tubing above said acker to urnish an outlet to said casing or liquid being pumped, said liquid also acting to seal said packing member.

4. A pump including a well casing, a fluid outlet at its upper en a tubing supported therein, a packer on said tubing adjacent its lower end, an inlet to said tubing below said packing, a packing member acting to seal off the tubing within the upper end of said casing, a plunger closing the passage in said tubing, means to conduct pressure fluid into the upper end of said tubing, valve controlled ports in said tubing above said packer to furnish an outlet to said casing for. liquid being pumped, said liquid also acting to seal said packlng member, said pressure fluid also be'- lng adapted to escape through said ports when said plunger has passed the same and assist in raising said liquid.

5. In a pump, a well casing, a casing head, a hollow packing member in said head, a bushing thereon, a tubing supported on said bushing, a duid inlet at its lower end, means to conduct gaseousfiuid into the upper end of said tubing, outlet ports near the lower end of said tubing, a plunger in said tubing to torce liquid in said tubing through said ports to the interior of the casing, a packer below'said outlet ports, and an outlet from the casing for said liquid through said hollow packlng member.

6. In a pump, a well casing, a casing head, a hollow packing member 1n said head, a bushing thereon, a tubing head fitting within said bushing, a tubing secured to said head and having an inlet adjacent its lower end, means to automatically lock said head in said bushing, means to conduct gaseous fluid into the upper end of said tubing, outlet ports near the lower end of said tubing, said pressure fluid acting to depress the liquid in said tubing to force said liquid in said tubing through said ports to the interior of the casing, and an outlet .from the casing for said liquid through said hollow packing member.

7. In a pump, a well casing, a casing head thereon, a tubing sup ortedin said casing head, a fluid inlet at t e lower end thereof,

means to seal about said tubing in said cas,

plunger closing the passage through said tubing, a -plurality of valves opening-outto said liquid to aerate the same, and thus relieving the Huid pressure in said tube to'perwardly from said tubing between said sealmit the liquid to again rise in said tubing.

.ing means, and means including a line to conduct pressure fluid into the upper end of said tubing Vabove said plunger to force said plunger downwardly in said tubing to discharge liquid upwardly in said casing, there being an outlet for said liquid at the upper end of said casing.

8. In a pump, a well casing, a casing head thereon, a tubing supported in said casing head, a fluid inlet at the lower end thereof,

means to seal about said tubing in said casing head, means to seal about said tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, a slidable plunger closing the passage through said tubing, a plurality of valves opening outward 'from said tubing between said sealing means, and means including a line to conduct pressure fluid into the upper end of said tubing above said plunger to force said plunger downwardly in said tubing to discharge liquid upwardlyin said casing, there being an outlet for said liquid at the upper end of said casing, said valves being arranged on said tubing to allow an outlet for said pressure fluid to the casing lwhen said plunger vhas made lits downward stroke'.

9..In` apump including a tubing and a I plunger free to move `therein the entire length of said tubing, `the improvement comprising sealing the space around the lower end of said tubing, moving said plunger downwardly by gaseous fluid pressure above the same and thereby forcing the liquid being pumped through outlets in said tubing into said well above said sealing means, eX- hausting the fluid pressure above said plunger through said outlets into'said liquid and raising saidyplunger on its upward stroke by the liquid in the well.

10. In a pump including a well tubing, the method Aof lifting liquid in said well, comrlsing introducing a barrier into said tubmg to the liquid level therein, sealing the In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this th day of July, A. D. 1932.

GRANVILLE A. HUMASON.

space around the lower end of said tubing f and the wall of the well, moving said barrier downwardly by gaseous fluid pressure to dis- I charge liquid from said tubing to the well above said sealing means, exhausting said gaseous fluid with said liquid from the tubing at the end of the downward stroke of said barrier to aerate said liquid, and then raising said barrier by the pressure of liquid in the well.

11. In a pump including a well tubing, a method of lifting liquid in said well, comprising sealing the space around the lower end of said tubing and the wall of the well, moving said liquid downwardly by gaseous fluid pressure in said tubing to discharge liq- 

